Sectional Control System For Delivery Of Agricultural Product According to Location

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an agricultural delivery system which may selectively deliver agricultural product (e.g., seeds or fertilizer) along one or more paths to row units according to a real-time location determined for the delivery system. The delivery system may include: a rotating drum configured to separate individual product for depositing along paths to row units; a sectional control system which may include wheels or gates for selectively cutting off product in the paths; and a controller in communication with a positioning system and the sectional control system. In operation, as the delivery system moves through a field, the controller may continuously determine a location for the delivery system. The controller may then operate to adjust individual product delivery, via the sectional control system, according to the location.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to farm implements and, more particularly,to a sectional control system for farm implements which may operate toadjust individual agricultural product delivery to row units accordingto a determined location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Farmers typically use agricultural product delivery systems for seedinglarge agricultural fields. Such systems often include a tractor hitchedin a conventional manner to an air cart and a “planter” or “drill.”Planters and drills are typically implements having row units forapplying seed to the field as the implement is being pulled by thetractor. Typically, planters, meter individual seeds while drills planta mass or volume of seeds. The metering and placement accuracy istypically higher for planters than for drills. Thus, seeds of crops(e.g., corn) which require relatively high metering and placementaccuracies for efficient growth may typically be planted using planters,while seeds of crops (e.g., wheat; oats) which grow efficiently in morevaried seed environments may be planted by lower accuracy and lessexpensive drills. Despite the differences, both types of plantingapparatuses typically include a seed hopper for storing a single type ofseed to be planted.

When seeding large fields, it is desirable to maximize use of the entirearea of the field. This ensures the most efficient use of space with thegreatest crop yield possible. It is also desirable to minimize theamount of agricultural product used in the field, including minimizingthe application of product to areas that should not receive product(such as areas which have already received product, or areas notamenable to growth). This ensures the most efficient use of a farmer'sresources. This may also ensure avoiding disruption of already seededground. What is needed is an improved technique for precise seedingwhich maximizes growth in a field while minimizing the use of productand disruption of seeded ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an agricultural delivery system which mayselectively deliver agricultural product (e.g., seeds or fertilizer)along one or more paths to row units according to a real-time locationdetermined for the delivery system. The delivery system may include: arotating drum configured to separate individual product for depositingalong paths, to row units; a sectional control system which may includewheels or gates for selectively cutting off product in the paths; and acontroller in communication with a positioning system and the sectionalcontrol system. In operation, as the delivery system moves through afield, the controller may continuously determine a location for thedelivery system. The controller may then operate to adjust individualproduct delivery, via the sectional control system, according to thelocation.

In one aspect, a CYCLO AIR® Planter, made by Case Corp. of Wisconsin,may be adapted to provide such sectional control. This could beinstalled, for example, onto a seeding toolbar configured to singulateseed into a secondary air pack for distributing the seed to openers On aplanter or drill. The sectional control system could involve one or morewheels or slides which may operate to allow runs to be shut off. In oneexample, two slide gates could be configured from opposite ends of adrum to allow runs to he shut off from either left to right or right toleft. Also, a mechanism could be provided to cut off pressurization toindividual opener metering sections on a drum. The system could usereal-time location information from a Global Positioning System (GPS) todetermine which runs should be receiving product, and which runs shouldnot be receiving product, when compared to a stored map.

In one aspect, an air cart could serve as a bulk tank for agriculturalproduct (e.g., seeds or fertilizer). The air cart could supply theagricultural product to meters on a planter or drill and could controlthe amount of product being metered to the openers, as well as whichopeners receive the product, based upon a position in the field.

In one aspect, the CYCLO AIR® system may pick up agricultural product atholes of a cylindrical drum with pressurization and carry the product upand out of a reservoir to an opposite side of the drum. Then, thepressurization at certain holes may be interrupted, thereby allowing theproduct to fall into an air stream where the product may be carried toan opener, or allowing the product gravity to convey the product to anopener. The sectional control system could use a slide gate which mayinterrupt pressurization at certain holes by sliding over an outsidesurface of the drum. Two slides could be used, one operating from eachside, with each slide capable of blocking the entire delivery area ofthe drum. Accordingly, product could be metered to an even higher levelof accuracy than current volumetric metering systems. This may alsoallow delivery of more difficult (smaller) grains, such as canola andcereal grains, with improved accuracy.

Specifically then, one aspect of the present invention provides anagricultural product delivery system including: a plurality of rowunits; a manifold configured to receive agricultural product fordelivery to the row units; a cylindrical drum secured to a shaft andconfigured to rotate, the drum having holes arranged incircumferentially spaced rows, each row having a plurality of holes withdiameters smaller than agricultural product delivered by the manifold; ablower assembly configured to pressurize the drum so that a forceretains agricultural product against holes of the drum as the drumrotates; an actuator in communication with a release wheel, the actuatorconfigured to cycle the release wheel between first and secondpositions, in which the first position is operable to close a hole ofthe drum to eliminate the force retaining the agricultural product tothe hole so that the agricultural product drops from the hole, and inwhich the second position is operable to open the hole of the drum toretain the force retaining the agricultural product to the hole; and acontroller in communication with the actuator. The controller mayexecute a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to: (a)determine a location of the agricultural product delivery system in afield using a position sensor; and (b) control the actuator to cycle therelease wheel between the first and second positions according to thelocation.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an agriculturalproduct delivery system including: an agricultural vehicle configured tomove an implement, the implement having a plurality of sections, eachsection having: a plurality of row units; a manifold configured toreceive agricultural product for delivery to the row units; acylindrical drum secured to a shaft and configured to rotate, the drumhaving holes arranged, in circumferentially spaced rows, each row havinga plurality of holes with diameters smaller than agricultural productdelivered by the manifold; a blower assembly configured to pressurizethe drum so that a force retains agricultural product against holes ofthe drum as the drum rotates; and an actuator in communication with arelease wheel, the actuator configured to cycle the release wheelbetween first and second positions, in which the first position isoperable to close a hole of the drum to eliminate the force retainingthe agricultural product to the hole so that the agricultural productdrops from the hole, and in which the second position is operable toopen the hole of the drum to retain the force retaining the agriculturalproduct to the hole; and a controller in communication with an actuatorin each section. The controller may execute a program stored in anon-transient medium operable to: (a) determine a location of theagricultural product delivery system in a field using a position sensor;and (b) control the actuator in each section to cycle release wheelsbetween the first and second positions according to the location.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an agriculturalproduct delivery system including: a plurality of row units; a manifoldconfigured to receive agricultural product for delivery to the rowunits; a cylindrical drum secured to a shaft, and configured to rotate,the drum having holes arranged in circumferentially spaced rows, eachrow having a plurality of holes with diameters smaller than agriculturalproduct delivered by the manifold; a blower assembly configured topressurize the drum so that a force retains agricultural product againstholes of the drum as the drum rotates; first and second, actuators incommunication with first and second release gates, respectively, thefirst and second actuators configured to cycle each of the first andsecond release gates, respectively, between first and second positions,in which the first position is operable to close a hole of the drum toeliminate the force retaining the agricultural product to the hole sothat the agricultural product drops from the hole, and in which thesecond position is operable to open, the hole of the drum to retain theforce retaining the agricultural product to the hole; and a controllerin communication with the first and second actuators. The controllerexecuting a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to: (a)determine a location of the agricultural product delivery system in afield using a position sensor; and (b) control the first and secondactuators to cycle the first and second release gates, respectively,between the first and second positions according to the location.

Other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however,that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicatingpreferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way ofillustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications maybe made within the scope of the present invention without departing fromthe spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent likeparts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an agricultural vehiclepulling a planting apparatus equipped with selectable row unitsaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical drum of FIG. 1 with anactuator in communication with a release wheel;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the cylindrical drum of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a cylindrical drum with release gatesaccording to another aspect of invention; and

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an agricultural vehicle pulling aplanting apparatus equipped with multiple sections in a field accordingto the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG, 1, an agricultural vehicle such as a tractor 10 mayinclude a hitch assembly 12 for connection to a drawbar 14 of animplement 15 which may include one or more sections 16 (implement 15 isillustrated in FIG. 1 as having only one section 16 for ease ofunderstanding). Tractor 10 includes an engine and drive train (notshown) for propelling tractor 10 and the implement 15 in a forwarddirection represented by arrow 18. Tractor 10 could be, for example, aMAGNUM® tractor and the implement 15 may be a 955 Series CYCLO AIR®Planter, both made by Case Corp. of Wisconsin. Some features of theCYCLO AIR® planters are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,762,603,3,848,552, 3,860,146, 3,885,704, 4,128,191, 4,758,119, 5,915,312 and5,915,313 herein incorporated by reference. Other tractors could be usedto move other types of planting implements including mounted,semi-mounted and trailing planters and drills.

Tractor 10 may include an auxiliary (AUX) hydraulic system 20 forsupplying pressurized hydraulic fluid from a source 22 (e.g., anengine-driven pump) to attachments such as section 16 of the implement15. AUX hydraulic system 20 can power two hydraulic motors on thesection 16: a blower hydraulic motor 24 which drives a fan 26 togenerate air pressure used for seed metering and distribution; and afunction hydraulic motor 28 which turns a shaft 30 to drive a meteringsystem 32. A blower AUX valve 34 controls the flow of fluid via conduits36 to blower hydraulic motor 24 depending on the position of a blowerAUX lever 38, and a function AUX valve 40 controls the flow of fluid viaconduits 42 to function hydraulic motor 28 depending on the position ofa function AUX lever 44. AUX levers 38 and 44, which may be located inthe tractor cab, are treated herein as turning the fluid flow to thesection 16 on and off, and it is assumed that the operator may set bothlevers to provide sufficient power for hydraulic motors 24 and 28. Forlarger planters, fluid to hydraulic motors 24 and 28 can be supplied bya closed hydraulic system on the section 16 driven by a power take-offshaft of tractor 10.

Tractor 10 may also be equipped with a controller 46 which maycommunicate with the section 16 via a bus 48 (e.g., such as abidirectional RS-485 interface) as described below. A true ground speedsensor 50 (e.g., a radar device mounted to the body of tractor 10) maygenerate a signal applied to the controller 46 and the section 16 viabus 52 which has a frequency proportional to true ground speed. Sensor50, however, can also include a magnetic pickup sensor which senses thespeed of the vehicle's undriven wheels. An estimated true ground speedcan be obtained from a pickup sensor associated with the driven wheelsor transmission. A position sensor 51, which may be part of a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) communicating with satellites and/or otherelements via a corresponding antenna, may generate a real-time locationsignal applied to the controller 46. The controller 46 may communicatewith a user interface 53 (UI) for exchanging input/output (I/O) with anoperator of the tractor 10. The controller 46 may also communicate witha database 55 (DB) which may store maps and related software in anon-transient medium as will be further described.

Each section 16 of the implement 15 may include a frame 54 (i.e., atoolbar) pulled by tractor 10 via drawbar 14 and supported above theground by carrying wheels 56. Secured to frame 54 are row units 58(section 16 illustrated in FIG. 1 has eight row units 58 illustrated byway of example), preferably using bolts for flexibility in changing rowspacing and planter configuration. Row units 58 may form furrow in theground and plant dispensed seed in the furrows, and may include offsetdisk openers (not shown) to penetrate residue and soil, gauge wheels(not shown) to maintain constant planting depth and seed placement,furrow forming points (not shown) to define the seed trenches formed bythe disk openers, applicators to place seed in the furrows, coveringdisks (not shown) to fill the furrows, and press wheels 60 to compresssoil over the furrows. Hoppers 62 may be provided to store chemicals(e.g., fertilizers) applied during planting.

Frame 54 may support a seed dispensing system 64 for multiple types ofseed which includes an enclosure 66 for enclosing blower assembly 24-26,function assembly 28-30, a central-fill hopper (not shown) for storingmultiple types of seed, a switch assembly (not shown) for selecting atype of seed, and components of a variable rate and type control system.Dispensing system 64 may also include a distribution assembly 68 whichincludes metering system 32 for metering individual seeds and a deliverysystem 70 for delivering metered seeds to row units 58. Metering system32 and delivery system 70 include a singulator or seed selector 72 forseparating individual seeds which are deposited into a manifold fordelivery to row units 58 via seed tubes 74.

Dispensing system 64 is a pneumatic system which uses pressurized airfor metering and distributing seed. However, portions of dispensingsystem 64 can be used on planting apparatuses such as gravity planters,or planters using air pressure only for metering or for distribution.Seed stored in enclosure 66 may be released as described below into thebottom of a perforated, cylindrical drum 76 secured to shaft 30 andforming part of singulator 72. Drum 76 has holes arranged incircumferentially spaced rows (e.g., 8 rows/8-row planter), each rowhaving a plurality of holes with diameters smaller than the seed beingplanted. The arrangement of drum 76 depends upon the planter and seedtype, and Case Corp. makes a full line of interchangeable drums. Blowerassembly 24-26 pressurizes drum 76 and creates an air pressuredifferential above atmospheric. As function assembly 28-30 rotates drum76, the pressure differential causes each hole to pick up one seed atthe bottom of drum 76, and retains the picked-up seed against the holeas drum 76 rotates. After further rotation moves the retained seedsabove the manifold, the holes are plugged by release wheels or gates(not shown) outside drum 76 to eliminate the force retaining the seedsand to cause the seeds to drop into the manifold. The seeds are thenpushed by a cushion of pressurized air from blower assembly 24-26through seed tubes 74 to row units 58.

The seed application rate depends upon ground speed, and the rotationrate of drum 76. A constant application rate is obtained by drivingshaft 30 via a transmission (not shown) coupled to carrying wheels 56.However, a variable application rate may be obtained by controlling therotation rate of drum 76 as a function of ground speed and a commandedapplication rate. Shaft 30 may be driven at a variable rate by functionhydraulic motor 28 depending upon settings of an electrohydraulic valve(not shown) also within enclosure 66. The electrohydraulic valve mayreceive fluid from function AUX valve 40 and regulates flow to motor 28in response to control signals generated as described below.

With additional reference to FIG. 2, in operation, each drum 76 mayrotate about a substantially horizontal axis. The drum 76 may besupported by, and rotationally sealed against, a base plate 118. Thedrum 76 may have a plurality of indentations 120 with each having a hole124 at its base through which air may escape from the drum to theatmosphere. The fan 26 may supply air into the interior of the drum 76,and maintains it at a pressure preferably about 5 to 15 ounces persquare inch above atmospheric pressure. Air escapes to the atmospherefrom the drum through each of the holes 124 in the drum indentations.

Grain may be maintained at a relatively constant level in the base ofthe drum 76, tumbling in the bottom of the drum as, the drum rotates. Asthe seed tumbles, and assuming it is maintained at the proper depth inthe drum, a single seed will fall into each indentation. Due to the flowof air out holes 124 at the bottom of the indentation, each seed willbecome trapped there. As the drum continues to rotate, each of theseseeds will be lifted to the uppermost point in the drum, where upon itwill begin to descend.

To release seeds from their respective indentations, one or moreflexible release wheels 126 or gates may be pressed against the outsideof the drum. For example, as the drum rotates, wheels 126 on axles 128may roll across the outer surface of the drum 76. During this rotation,the wheels 126 will periodically cover and seal off one or more holes124. The effect is to selectively release one or more seeds per row.

As seeds are released by the wheels 126, seeds fall into a manifold 130which may be comprised of 8 individual passageways. Each of thepassageways comprising the manifold 130 may be coupled to the seed tubes74 which lead to the row units 58. The manifold 130 may be fixed to thebase plate 118, which may hold a free end 132 of the manifold 130 inclose proximity to the rotating drum 76.

Seed may be delivered to the drums 76 through flexible hoses which arecoupled to a seed delivery tube 134. The seed delivery tube 134 may bedirected downward toward the bottom of drum 76, for example, at an angleof between 15 and 35 degrees. The seed delivery tube 134 may preferablybe rectangular in axial cross-section, measuring between 1 and 4 inchessquare, and more preferably between 1.75 and 2.75 inches square. Theseed delivery tube 134 may have a top surface 136, a bottom surface 138and two vertical side walls 140. About 5 inches of the seed deliverytube 134 may extend into the drum 76, terminating in an open end, theedge of which may define a horizontal plane parallel to, andequidistantly spaced from, the bottom of the drum 76. A gap between theopen end and the bottom of the drum 76 may preferably be between 0.5 and1.0 inches, with a wider gap being suitable for operation in adverseconditions, such as side hills.

The axles 128 of the wheels 126 may be connected to plungers 150 whichmay be driven by actuators 152. Accordingly, the actuators 152 incommunication with the wheels 126 may cycle the, wheels 126 betweenfirst and second positions. The first position (illustrated in FIG. 2)may be operable to close holes 124 of the drum 76 to eliminate the forceretaining the agricultural product to the holes 124. As a result, theagricultural product may drop from the holes, and in one aspect, may bereceived by the manifold 130 for delivery to the row units. The secondposition may be operable to open the holes 124 of the drum 76 to retainthe force retaining the agricultural product to the holes 124. In thesecond position, the agricultural product may bypass the manifold 130 asthe agricultural product continues rotating with the drum 76 back to thebottom. It will be appreciated that a variety of configurations may berealized for cycling between first and second positions with respect tothe drum 76 within the scope of the invention.

The actuators 152 may comprise solenoids or coils which may beresponsive to electrical signals 154. The electrical signals 154 may bedriven by the controller 46, for example, according to program stored ina non-transient medium being executed by the controller 46. In oneaspect, the controller 46 may determine a real-time location of theagricultural product delivery system, including the tractor 10 and theimplement 15, in the field, using the position sensor 51. The controller46 may then drive the electrical signals 154 to cycle the wheels 126between the first and second positions according to the location.Moreover, the controller 46 may compare the determined location to a mapstored in the database 55, and drive the electrical signals 154 to cyclethe wheels 126 between the first and second positions according to thelocation on the map.

For example, the map may indicate a particular area is not amenable togrowth (such a rock bed, water deposit, or the like), or has alreadyreceived product (based on real-time updates which may be received asthe tractor 10 moves through the field). Upon determining a locationnear the particular area undesirable for agricultural product, thecontroller 46 may cycle wheels 126, via the electrical signals 154, forcorresponding row units 58 in order to retain agricultural product overthe particular area. This may occur while simultaneously cycling otherwheels 126, via the electrical signals 154, to release agriculturalproduct over an unaffected area.

With additional reference to FIG. 3, a front view of the drum 76illustrates multiple wheels 126, which may be positioned with respect toholes 124 in a common row 160, and corresponding actuators 152 for thewheels 126. In one aspect, there may be one wheel 126 for each hole 124in the common row 160, such as eight wheels 126 with eight correspondingactuators 152 (labelled “A” through “H”), corresponding to eight holes124 in the common row 160, for the eight row units 58. As shown by wayof example, actuators A through F are in the first position, preparingto close corresponding holes 124 a through 124 f, so that theagricultural product drops from holes 124 a through 124 f, whileactuators G and H are in the second position, preparing to opencorresponding holes 124 g and 124 h, so that the agricultural product isretained in holes 124 g and 124 h. The release wheels 126 may moveperpendicularly with respect to the drum 76, illustrated by arrow 162,when cycling between the first and second positions.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a front view of an alternative arrangementhaving a drum 76 and first and second release gates 170 and 172,respectively, (connected to plungers 150 and, in turn, actuatorscontrolled by the electrical signals 154) is provided according toanother aspect of invention. In one aspect, the first release gate 170may move laterally with respect to the drum 76, illustrated by arrow174, from left most point in which the first release gate 170 opens afirst half of the holes 124 (hole 124 a through hole 124 d), to a rightmost point in which the first release gate 170 closes the first half ofthe holes 124 (hole 124 a through hole 124 d), and anywhere in between.Similarly, the second release gate 172 may move laterally with respectto the drum 76, illustrated by arrow 176, from right most point in whichthe second release gate 172 opens a second half of the holes 124 (hole124 e through hole 124 h), to a left most point in which the secondrelease gate 172 closes the second half of the holes 124 (hole 124 ethrough hole 124 h), and anywhere in between. As shown by way ofexample, the first release gate 170 prepares to close holes 124 a and124 b, and prepares to open holes 124 c and 124 d, while the secondrelease gate 172 prepares to close holes 124 e through 124 h. It will beappreciated that a variety of configurations may be realized forimplementing wheels and/or gates, including a single wheel or gate whichmay span the entire distance of the drum 76, whether perpendicularlyand/or laterally. Such variations are deemed within the scope of theinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a diagram illustrating an agricultural productdelivery system 178, including the tractor 10 moving the implement 15 ina field 180, is shown by way of example. Here, the implement 15 mayinclude four sections 16 (labeled “A” through “D”). As the productdelivery system 178 moves through the field 180, the controller 46 maycontinuously determine a real-time location for the product deliverysystem 178, such as by communicating with one or more GPS satellites 182using the position sensor 51. The controller 46 may reference a map inthe database 55, which may indicate, for example, that a portion of theproduct delivery system 178, such as the last half of row units 58 ofsection D, is entering or in a particular area 184 that is not amenableto growth (such a rock bed, water deposit, or the like). Accordingly,the controller 46 may control one or more actuators 152 which maycorrespond to wheels 126 or gates for the last half of holes 124 in thedrum 76 of section D (corresponding, in turn, to the last half of rowunits 58 of section D), to open so that agricultural product is retainedin such holes and not applied to the area 184.

Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out thepresent invention is disclosed above, practice of the above invention isnot limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions,modifications and rearrangements of the features of the presentinvention may be made without deviating from the spirit and the scope ofthe underlying inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. An agricultural product delivery systemcomprising: a plurality of row units; a manifold configured to receiveagricultural product for delivery to the row units; a cylindrical drumsecured to a shaft and configured to rotate, the drum having holesarranged in circumferentially spaced rows, each row having a pluralityof holes with diameters smaller than agricultural product delivered bythe manifold; a blower assembly configured to pressurize the drum sothat a force retains agricultural product against holes of the drum asthe drum rotates; an actuator in communication with a release wheel, theactuator configured to cycle the release wheel between first and secondpositions, wherein the first position is operable to close a hole of thedrum to eliminate the force retaining the agricultural product to thehole so that the agricultural product drops from the hole, and whereinthe second position is operable to open the hole of the drum to retainthe force retaining the agricultural product to the hole; and acontroller in communication with the actuator, the controller executinga program stored in a non-transient medium operable to: (a) determine alocation of the agricultural product delivery system in a field using aposition sensor; and (b) control the actuator to cycle the release wheelbetween the first and second positions according to the location.
 2. Theagricultural product delivery system of claim 1, wherein the actuator incommunication with the release wheel is among a plurality of actuatorsin communication with release wheels, and wherein the actuators areconfigured to cycle the release wheels between first and secondpositions with respect to holes in a common row.
 3. The agriculturalproduct delivery system of claim 2, wherein a release wheel is providedfor each hole in the common row.
 4. The agricultural product deliverysystem of claim 2, wherein the release wheels move perpendicularly withrespect to the drum when cycling between the first and second positions.5. The agricultural product delivery system of claim 2, wherein theplurality of actuators in communication with release wheels include afirst actuator in communication with a first release wheel and a secondactuator in communication with a second release wheel, and wherein thefirst actuator cycles the first release wheel with respect to a firsthalf of holes in the common row and the second actuator cycles thesecond release wheel with respect to a second half of holes in thecommon row.
 6. The agricultural product delivery system of claim 5,wherein the first and second release wheels move laterally with respectto the drum when cycling between the first and second positions.
 7. Theagricultural product delivery system of claim 1, wherein the controlleris further operable to compare the location to a map and control theactuator to cycle the release wheel between the first and secondpositions according to the location on the map.
 8. The agriculturalproduct delivery system of claim 1, wherein the manifold is configuredto receive agricultural product from the drum when the release wheel isin the first position.
 9. The agricultural product delivery system ofclaim 1, wherein the position sensor is part of a Global PositioningSystem (GPS).
 10. The agricultural product delivery system of claim 1,wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid,.
 11. An agricultural productdelivery system comprising: an agricultural vehicle configured to movean implement, the implement having a plurality of sections, each sectionhaving: a plurality of row units; a manifold configured to receiveagricultural product for delivery to the row units; a cylindrical drumsecured to a shaft and configured to rotate, the drum having holesarranged in circumferentially spaced rows, each row having a pluralityof holes with diameters smaller than agricultural product delivered bythe manifold; a blower assembly configured to pressurize the drum sothat a force retains agricultural product against holes of the drum asthe drum rotates; and an actuator in communication with a release wheel,the actuator configured to cycle the release wheel between first andsecond positions, wherein the first position is operable to close a holeof the drum to eliminate the force retaining the agricultural product tothe hole so that the agricultural product drops from the hole, andwherein the second position is operable to open the hole of the drum toretain the force retaining the agricultural product to the hole; and acontroller in communication with an actuator in each section, thecontroller executing a program stored in a non-transient medium operableto: (a) determine a location of the agricultural product delivery systemin a field using a position sensor; and (b) control the actuator in eachsection to cycle release wheels between the first and second positionsaccording to the location.
 12. The agricultural product delivery systemof claim 11 wherein the actuator in communication with the release wheelin each section is among a plurality of actuators in communication withrelease wheels, and wherein the actuators are configured to cycle therelease wheels between first and second positions with respect to holesin a common row.
 13. The agricultural product delivery system of claim12, wherein a release wheel is provided for each hole in the common row.14. The agricultural product delivery system of claim 12, wherein therelease wheels move perpendicularly with respect to the drum whencycling between the first and second positions.
 15. The agriculturalproduct delivery system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of actuatorsin communication with release wheels include a first actuator incommunication with a first release wheel and a second actuator incommunication with a second release wheel, and wherein the firstactuator cycles the first release wheel with respect to a first half ofholes in the common row and the second actuator cycles the secondrelease wheel with respect to a second half of holes in the common row.16. The agricultural product delivery system of claim 15, wherein thefirst and second release wheels move laterally with respect to the drumwhen cycling between the first and second positions.
 17. Theagricultural product delivery system of claim 11, wherein the controlleris further operable to compare the location to a map and control theactuator in each section to cycle the release wheel between the firstand second positions according to the location on the map.
 18. Theagricultural product delivery system of claim 11, wherein the manifoldin each section is configured to receive agricultural product from thedrum when the release wheel is in the first position.
 19. Theagricultural product delivery system of claim 11, wherein the positionsensor is part of a Global Positioning System (GPS).
 20. An agriculturalproduct delivery system comprising: a plurality of row units; a manifoldconfigured to receive agricultural product for delivery to the rowunits; a cylindrical drum secured to a shaft and configured to rotate,the drum having holes arranged in circumferentially spaced rows, eachrow having a plurality of holes with diameters smaller than agriculturalproduct delivered by the manifold; a blower assembly configured topressurize the drum so that a force retains agricultural product againstholes of the drum as the drum rotates; first and second actuators incommunication with first and second release gates, respectively, thefirst and second actuators configured to cycle each of the first andsecond release gates, respectively, between first and second positions,wherein the first position is operable to close a hole of the drum toeliminate the force retaining the agricultural product to the hole sothat the agricultural product drops from the hole, and wherein thesecond position is operable to open the hole of the drum to retain theforce retaining the agricultural product to the hole; and a controllerin communication with the first and second actuators, the controllerexecuting a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to: (a)determine a location of the agricultural product delivery system in afield using a position sensor; and (b) control the first and secondactuators to cycle the first and second release gates, respectively,between the first and second positions according to the location.